Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for exercise apparatus for exercising the core muscles of the human body and comprising an elongate member having a central portion with an engagement formation for locating the said central portion on the rear neck region of a user, first and second laterally extending portions each arranged for engagement by raised respective upper limbs of the user, the first and second laterally extending portions being movable in a resilient manner relative to the said central portion so that the said first and second laterally extending portions can flex relative to the said central portion, and so as to facilitate lifting of a user&#39;s ribcage and in particular twisting of the trunk/torso thereby working the core muscles through twisting (rotational), side bending (lateral) and forward bending (flexion) movement of the apparatus about the core axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise apparatus and equipmentparticularly for use in exercising the core muscles of the human body.

A wide variety of exercises are known for toning the muscles of themid-section of the human body, the most widely known of which comprisesimple so-called “sit ups” usually performed as crunches (smallmovements serving to shorten the abdominal muscle groups under tension),and “spinal twists” and “side bends”.

Such exercising involves the individual lying on their back with theirlegs either stretched out flat, or raised and bent at the knees, and theindividual then lifting their back away from the ground, whilst keepingthe buttock region on the ground, and through use of their abdominalmuscles.

Various forms of abdominal exercise apparatus and equipment have beenproposed so as to assist with this type of exercise such as Swiss Ballthe so-called Abs-Crunch Bar and Abs-Roller Frames.

However, all such known apparatus is considered disadvantageouslylimiting insofar as it requires the user to assume a position on, or inproximity to, the floor and in many cases such positioning can proveuncomfortable and potentially damaging particularly to the spinaljoints.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide for exercise apparatus havingadvantages over known such apparatus and traditional exercise protocol.

In particular, the present invention seeks to provide exercise apparatushaving potential to exercise the whole core and not just isolatedspecific target muscle groups.

According to the present invention there is provided exercise apparatuscomprising an elongate member having a central portion with anengagement formation for locating the said central portion on the rearneck and/or central upper back region of a user, first and secondlaterally extending portions each arranged for engagement by raisedrespective upper limbs of the user, the first and second laterallyextending portions being movable in a resilient manner relative to thesaid central portion so that the said first and second laterallyextending portions can flex relative to the said central portion.

A particular advantage of the present invention that distinguishes fromknown apparatus is that an individual wishing to exercise their coremuscles can use the apparatus whilst in standing or seated position andindeed, if required, whilst walking.

There is therefore advantageously no need for an individual to adopt aparticular exercise position on or in relation to the ground and so theapparatus of the present invention can be more readily adopted for useand so therefore can be far more convenient and attractive for the user.Also the exercise performed by way of the apparatus of the presentinvention can, as mentioned, include an additional form of exercise suchas walking.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows forexercising of the core muscles through reciprocating twisting of thetrunk/torso of the body about the waist such that the core muscles areworked in a manner to provide for torsion within the trunk/torso of theuser's body.

In one embodiment, the first and second laterally extending portions areeach arranged to extend over the shoulder region of the user.

Through the extension of the first and second laterally extendingportions in this manner, the user is encouraged to lift their arms in amanner sufficiently high so as to raise the rib cage and assist with therotational movement of the trunk/torso.

Advantageously, the first and second laterally extending portions arearranged to include weighting means for increasing the weight thereof.

The said weighting means are advantageously located at the distal endregions of the first and second laterally extending portions remote fromthe said central portion.

In this manner, both the overall weight of the exercise apparatus can bevaried as required so as to assist with an appropriate level of exercisefor the user. In particular, the inertia built up through twisting ofthe user's torso trunk about the waist region is enhanced through theaddition of weights through adoption of the weighting means which servesto increase the work required to initiate, and arrest, movement of thetrunk/torso during its twisting movement.

Advantageously, the weighting means can comprise a hollow chamberarranged for receiving weighting medium such as a fluid.

Alternatively, or in addition, the weighting means can include theengagement formations upon which one or more solid weights can bemounted as required.

In accordance with one embodiment, the said first and second laterallyextending portions comprise separate members from the central portionbut which are connected thereto by a resilient connection means. In thismanner, the central portion and the first and second laterally extendingportions can each comprise rigid members.

The resilient connector means can advantageously comprise a springmember and, in particular, a elongate helical spring members each havingan inner diameter selected for receiving the said first and secondlaterally extending portions and the said centre portions therein.

As an alternative, the said first and second laterally extendingportions can be formed integral with the said central portion and can beformed of a resilient material.

Yet further, the region at which the central portion extends into therespective first and second laterally extending portions canadvantageously be arranged for resilient movement of the first andsecond laterally extending portions relative to the said centralportions.

The aforementioned resilience can, in one embodiment, be impartedthrough appropriate dimensioning of the region at which the centralportion extends into the first and second respective laterally extendingportions.

Advantageously, each of the first and second laterally extendingportions is arranged to be cribbed by a respective hand of the user.

Alternatively, or addition, each of the said first and second laterallyextending portions is arranged for engagement by the underside of eachrespective forearm of the user.

In this manner, the said first and second laterally extending portionscan include support formations arranged for locating the said undersidefor the respective forearms of the user thereon.

A further advantage, the said support formations for the undersides ofthe respective arms can be arranged to extend along a longitudinal axissubstantially perpendicular to the axis beyond which the said centralportion extends.

In one embodiment, the said first and second laterally extendingportions are arranged to extend substantially perpendicularly to thelongitudinal axis of the said central portion.

As will be appreciated, the present invention provides for an easilymaintained, and used, exercise apparatus which can readily allow for auser to exercise their core muscles in a manner of reciprocatingtwisting movement or lateral or forward bending movement of the torsothat occurs while standing, sitting or walking.

The apparatus is advantageous in assisting in lifting the ribcage of theuser so as to assist with, and increase the extent of, twisting movementthat can be achieved about the waist. Further, through the incorporationof the resilient mounting of the first and second laterally extendingportions relative to the said central portion, the user can work againstsuch resilience as the torso twists towards its final extent of movementso as to allow for a greater degree of work to be achieved through useof the core muscles.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is providedexercise apparatus comprising an elongate member having a centralportion with an engagement formation for locating the said centralportion on the rear neck and/or central upper back region of a user,first and second laterally extending portions each arranged forengagement by raised respective upper limbs of the user and eachcomprising support formations for supporting respectively the underforearms of the user.

Preferably the configuration of the apparatus is such that, when locatedon the user, the said support formations are at a lower level than thesaid central portion.

As a further alternative aspect of the invention there is providedexercise apparatus comprising an elongate member having a centralportion with an engagement formation for locating the said centralportion on the rear neck and/or central upper back region of a user,first and second laterally extending portions each arranged forengagement by raised respective upper limbs of the user and eachcomprising weighting means for providing for an increase in the weightof the apparatus in the region of the said laterally extending portions.

Advantageously, the apparatus is configured so as to balance by way ofits said central portion when located at the rear neck and/or centralupper back region of the user and when not engaged by the said upperlimbs.

Of course, it should be appreciated that the apparatus can likewise beused hopefully while the individual is stationary and twisting theirtorso about their waist, bending laterally or forward bending.

It will therefore be appreciated that the present invention provesparticularly advantageous insofar as, through the provision ofrelatively simple, various one or more of the muscle groups within thecore can be readily exercised, either alone or in combination andwithout requiring any form of adjustment or reconfiguration of theapparatus.

Also the apparatus allows for standing, or seated, twists and rotationof the apparatus about a central axis defined by the central axis of thebody core and which can serve to tone/firm the muscles of the user'swaistline.

Further, side-bends can be performed so as to exercise the obliques andstanding, or seated, crunches can be performed through flexing of theapparatus irrespective of whether any side-bend or body twist isperformed and serve to work the abdominal muscles. However, and asdiscussed, the apparatus can be readily employed when the user is takingstrides such as walking whether on an exercise treadmill or otherwise,and in such instances, a combination of the above three exercises, andthus a combination of the working of the core muscles mentioned, can beachieved by way of a simple form of apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of exercise apparatus according to one embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As will be appreciated, the present invention provides for exerciseapparatus serving to work the core group of body muscles and includingall abdominal muscles, such as the rectis abdominus, internal andexternal obliques and transverse and intercostal muscles; musclesassociated with the spine such as the erectorspinae group; and the hipflexers for example the illiacus and psoas muscles.

As used herein with reference to the core muscles should be understoodto mean any one or more of such muscle groups. Also, reference to therear neck region of the user is intended also to refer to the centralupper back region of the user.

The invention is particularly advantageous insofar as the single centralapparatus can effectively comprise an abdominal exercise apparatus,spinal twist apparatus and side-bend apparatus serving to target andwork the whole core of the human body and all of the muscle groupsassociated therewith. Even the Glutues muscle group is engaged as astabilizing force to control the twisting motion during use of theapparatus while walking.

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is provided a plan view of one embodimentof an exerciser according to the present invention. However, it will beappreciated that the invention is not so limited to the embodiment asillustrated since it can be made from a variety of materials asappropriate, can include a variety of weighting means whether for theselected mounting of solid weights or otherwise and, while having agenerally elongate form can be provided with extension portions thatextend at any appropriate angle relative to the central portion.

Turning therefore to FIG. 1 the exerciser 10 comprises a central portion12 and respective first and second laterally extending portions 14, 16.

The central portion 12 is provided with a formation 18 by which theexerciser 10 can be comfortably located and mounted on the back neckportion of the user.

The formation 18 can be formed of any appropriate material whethersolid, or deformable and can, if required be adjustable in considerationand dimension.

Each of the laterally extending portions 14, 16 are arranged to extendover the respective shoulders of the user when formation 18 is mountedto the back of the neck as required and each of the first and secondlaterally extending 14, 16 terminates in respective forwardly extendingsupport handle portions 20, 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the support handle portions 20,22 extends substantially as right angles relative to the longitudinalaxis of the first and second laterally extending portions 14, 16.

Each of the support handle portions 20, 22 contains a respectiveformation 24, 26 arranged to provide for comfortable support of theunderside of the forearm of the user.

Thus, when in use it will be appreciated that, with the formation 18 ofthe central portion 12 mounted on the rear neck region of the user, theuser's arms extend up and over the distal regions of the first andsecond laterally extending portions 14, 16 and onto, and generallyaligned with, the handle support portions 20, 22 and their respectivesupport formations 24, 26.

Again, and as with formation 18, the respective formations 24, 26 forproviding support to the user's forearm can be formed to any appropriatematerial whether integral with the handle support portions 20, 22 orotherwise.

In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 12 of the exerciser10 is formed separate from the respect first 14 and second 16 laterallyextending portions but the two said laterally extending portions aremounted in a resilient manner to the central portion 12 by means ofhelical springs 28, 30 which extend along the longitudinal axis of thecentral portion 12.

As will be appreciated from the description that follows concerning useof the apparatus of FIG. 1, the helical springs 28, 30 allow forrotational movement of the handle support regions 20, 22 relative to thecentral portion 12 in the direction illustrated by arrows A

Each of the support handle portions 20, 22 determinates in a bulbformation 32, 34 so as to provide for a handgrip for the user.

In addition, weighting members 36, 38 are provided on the support handleportions 20, 22 respectively and which include engaging formations uponwhich solid weights can be mounted, either alone, or in combination soas to vary the weight of each distal end of the apparatus 10.

The greater the weight added to the weighting means 36, 38, the greaterthe amount of work that the core muscles have to perform in twisting theuser's torso and in arresting such twisting motion and in returning thetorso in an opposite twist.

Also, the resilience offered by the helical springs 28, 30 allow forrotational movement in the direction of arrows A as the exerciser 10approaches in an alternative manner as the exerciser 10 as the userapproaches its maximum range of spinal twist and, through workingagainst the resilience offered by the helical springs 28, 30 theindividual can enhance the work performed by the core muscles.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is provided a front elevational view of theexerciser 10 of FIG. 1 and in which like features are illustrated by thesame reference numerals.

However, it will be appreciated from FIG. 2 that each of the first andsecond laterally extending portions 14, 16 is provided with a shallowcrank 14′, 16′ which assist in the comfortable location of the user'sarms, and in particular forearms, above the apparatus and onto thesupport formations 24, 26 offered by the support handle portions 20, 22.It should be appreciated that the dip in height of the apparatusoccurring in the region of the first and second lateral extendingportions when mounted on the user, and defined by each shallow crank14′, 16′, advantageously serves to enhance the comfort with which theapparatus can be used so as to allow for relatively long exercisesessions if required.

As will further be appreciated, by virtue of the longitudinalconfiguration of the illustrated embodiment, a folding mechanism canreadily be included where appropriate so as to allow for efficientstowage and transportation of the exercise 10 thereby making it readilyportable.

As mentioned, once exerciser 10 is mounted onto the neck and shouldersof the user, and the forearms hang up and over the laterally extendingportions 14, 16 and onto the support formations 24, 26, the core musclescan then be readily exercised through twisting of the user's torsoeither while stationary, or, preferably in an accented manner, whilewalking.

The exerciser 10 offers particular advantages to its lifting of theuser's ribcage so as to assist with the ready twisting of the torso, andthrough the resilient relative movement that is provided between thefirst and second laterally extending portions 14, 16 and the centralportion 18 so as to enhance the nature of the work undertaken by thecore muscles.

The apparatus such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is furtheradvantageously configured such that, when located on the user by way ofthe central portion formation 18 the apparatus 10 can remain balanced onthe user without requiring engagement by way of the users upper limbsand so as to advantageously free the users upper limbs for anyadditional requirement or any exercising movement that might arise.Thus, if the apparatus is being used when walking, the user can readilydisengage its upper limbs from the device so as to swing their armsfreely for as long as is required with the apparatus 10 remaining inplace.

Of course, and as noted therefore, the invention is not restricted tothe details of the illustrated embodiment.

In particular, the exerciser 10 can be formed of any appropriatematerial, either as a unitary moulded member or otherwise, and theweighting means can be provided in any appropriate form whether by wayof hollow captives for the receipt of fluid or otherwise.

1. Exercise apparatus for exercising the core muscles of the human bodyand comprising an elongate member having a central portion with anengagement formation for locating the said central portion on the rearneck region of a user, first and second laterally extending portionseach arranged for engagement by raised respective upper limbs of theuser, the first and second laterally extending portions being movable ina resilient manner relative to the said central portion so that the saidfirst and second laterally extending portions can flex relative to thesaid central portion.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst and second laterally extending portions are each arranged toextend over a respective shoulder region of the user.
 3. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second laterally extendingportions are arranged to include weighting means for increasing theweight thereof.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein theweighting means located at the distal end regions of the first andsecond laterally extending portions remote from the said centralportion.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the weighting meanscomprise hollow chambers arranged for receiving a weighting medium. 6.Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the weighting means includesengagement formations upon which one or more solid weights can bemounted as required.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesaid first and second laterally extending portions comprise separatemembers connected to the central portion by a resilient connectionmeans.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the resilientconnector means comprise a spring members.
 9. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the said first and second laterally extending portionsare formed integral with the said central portion.
 10. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the elongate member is formed of a resilientmaterial.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first andsecond laterally extending portions is arranged to be gripped by arespective hand of the user.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein each of the said first and second laterally extending portionsis arranged for engagement by the underside of each respective forearmof the user.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the saidfirst and second laterally extending portions include support formationsarranged for locating the said underside for the respective forearms ofthe user thereon.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the saidsupport formations for the undersides of the respective forearms arearranged to extend along a longitudinal axis substantially perpendicularto the axis along which the said central portion extends.
 15. Apparatusas claimed in claim 1, wherein the said first and second laterallyextending portions are arranged to extend substantially at right anglesrelative to the longitudinal axis of the said central portion. 16.Exercise apparatus comprising an elongate member having a centralportion with an engagement formation for locating the said centralportion on the rear neck region of a user, first and second laterallyextending portions each arranged for engagement by raised respectiveupper limbs of the user and each comprising support formations forsupporting respectively the under forearms of the user.
 17. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 16, and arranged such that when located on the user,the said support formations are at a lower level than the said centralportion.
 18. Exercise apparatus comprising an elongate member having acentral portion with an engagement formation for locating the saidcentral portion on the rear neck region of a user, first and secondlaterally extending portions each arranged for engagement by raisedrespective upper limbs of the user and each comprising weighting meansfor providing an increase in the weight of the apparatus in the regionsof the said laterally extending portions.
 19. Apparatus as claimed inclaim 18, and configured so as to balance by way of the said centralportion when located on the rear neck region of the user and when notengaged by the said upper limbs.